Book of Song

Only Our Rivers Run Free

by Michael McConnell

When [C] apples still [G] grow in [C] November
When [F] blossoms still [C] bloom on each [G] tree
When [F] leaves are still green in [C] December
It's [G] then that our land will be [Am] free
I [F] wander her hills and her [C] valleys
And [F] still through my sorrow I [E] see
A [F] land that has never known [C] freedom
[G] Only her rivers run [Am] free


I [C] drink to the [G] death of her [C] manhood
Those [F] men who would [C] rather have [G] died
Than to [F] live in the cold chains of [C] bondage
To [G] bring back their rights were [Am] denied
[F] Where are you now when we [C] need you
What [F] burns where the flame used to [E] be
Are you [F] gone like the snows of last [C] winter
Will [G] only our rivers run [Am] free


How [C] sweet is [G] life but we're [C] crying
How [F] mellow the [C] wine but we're [G] dry
How [F] fragrant the rose but it's [C] dying
How [G] gentle the wind but it [Am] sighs
What [F] good is in youth when it's [C] aging
What [F] joy is in eyes that can't [E] see
When there's [F] sorrow in sunshine and [C] flowers
And [G] only our rivers run [Am] free